Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta Annual Report 2011-12

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LivelihoodMessage from Chief of Livelihood – Chief Leon Chalifoux, Swan River First Nation:The Livelihood department consisting of Consultation, Environment, Land Management and ResourceDevelopment continues its role in providing coordination, facilitation and advocacy services and functions on‘livelihood’ related issues. With the collective direction of the Chiefs Livelihood Committee and the assistanceof the Consultation Technical team (list attached), the Livelihood department continues to ensure all relatedinformation is shared with the member First Nations and to promote a unified and collective voice that will beheard locally, regionally and nationally.Chief James AhnassayChief Leon ChalifouxJoseph Jobin is the Chief Operating Officer for Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta.On June, 2011 Kevin Ahkimnachie was hired as the Land Management & Resource Development Manager and iscurrently the interim Director of Livelihood until such time the Land & Resource Manager is filled.As of August 2011, Nora Alook accepted a position with the Health Department as the Co-Management Liaison.We would like to take this opportunity to thank Nora for the many years she had invested in the LivelihoodDepartment and to wish her the very best in her new position with Health. Upon Nora’s departure, FreidaCardinal was hired as the Executive Assistant for the Livelihood department.Some of the major accomplishments this last year;• Conducting a successful rally on September 26th, 2011. (Over 600+ in attendance)• Working with First Nations in building a case for litigation for Public Lands Administration Regulation(PLAR)• Regional Session on Land, Water and Treaty Rights in November 2011.• Initiating working relationships with University of Calgary and University of Alberta.RallyOn September 26, 2011 Chiefs, Councils, First Nation Members and supporters of Treaty and Aboriginal Rightsgathered at the Alberta Provincial Legislature to protest against the Provincial Acts, Regulations and Policiesthat may infringe our Treaty rights. Treaty # 6, # 7 and # 8 Chiefs spoke on the protection and sacredness of theTreaty and what it means for the federal government to uphold its fiduciary obligations. Aboriginal Affairs Critic,Linda Duncan, (NDP) M.P., Brian Mason, (NDP) M.L.A. and AFNs’ National Chief Shaun A-in-Chut Atleo were inattendance.ConsultationThe Government of Alberta’s review process has included over a year of gathering input from industry,municipalities and First Nations. The First Nation PTOs have submitted Consultation Position Papers sharingPage 12
Canada and the First Nations Historical Timelinetheir views on First Nations consultation. The process included Sub-table meetings in 2011 and the First Nationsasked for more time to discuss the policy with the Government of Alberta; the Government refused. The 2012election pushed the release date for the Consultation Policy further. A new Aboriginal Relations Ministry wascreated and Robin Campbell was named the Aboriginal Relations Minister. Government of Alberta will send outdraft Consultation Policy to Alberta First Nations for review when it is released. First Nations will have 30 days toreview and provide feedback.Livelihood Regional SessionIn November 2011, the Livelihood department held its Regional Session in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Topics wereon Land, Water and Treaty rights. The following were presenters at the Session:Roseanne Kyle, JFK (Janes Freedman Kyle) Law Firm, presented on PLAR (Public Lands AdministrationRegulation); Alberta claims PLAR is needed to manage access to and use of public lands in Alberta.Clayton Leonard, MLT Law Firm, presented on First Nation’s Water Rights and the Duty to Consult andAccommodateBruce Gladue, Alberta Government’s Energy Resource Conservation Board (ERCB), presented on the functionsof ERCB and how they engage with First Nations and elaborated on Directive 56 (consultation methods).Treaty 8 Tribal Association BC Chiefs presented on Site C Dam and expressed concern over the cumulativeeffects, loss of traditional way of life, animal scarcity, Treaty rights and identified the next steps. Chiefs Liz Logan,Roland Willson, Lynette Tsakoza and other Treaty 8 Tribal Association technicians presented on Site C Dam.University of Calgary’s Dr. David Lertzman and Conroy Sewepagaham presented on environment andconsultation process.Overall, the Regional Session was a success.Bill S-8 is the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act; the Bill was introduced in the Senate on February29th, 2012. The Government of Canada, the Provinces and First Nations will be working together to draft waterlegislation for the First Nation reserves in the future. Bill S-8 contains a clause stating “Government of Canada willincorporate Provincial and Territorial water regulations, acts and laws on the First Nation communities.” The Billwas read in the House of Commons on June 19th, 2012 for first reading.Site C Treaty 8 Tribal Association has been in communication with Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta on theproposed Site C project since the fall 2011. There have been numerous teleconference calls and one presentationon Site C project in November 2011 at Grande Prairie, Alberta. The Treaty 8 Tribal Association has been opposingthe project since early 1980’s and continue their fight. To date, the federal government has confirmed that theCanadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) and the Fisheries Act will apply to the Site C Power Project onthe Peace River. Treaty 8 Tribal Association is opposed that CEAA and Fisheries Act should apply to Site C.Regulatory Enhancement Project (REP) is a proposed amalgamation of ERCB, Alberta Environment and SRDas one regulator. There have been a few advances on REP since last year. The Policy Management Office hasbeen established. It is anticipated that they will be fully operational by the end of 2012. Executive Advisor expectsthe introduction of legislation later this year to support the establishment of the integrated single regulator. PolicyManagement Office will also be responsible for the public engagement component and the risk and performancemanagement components of REP.Lucilia Pereira has recently been appointed as the Executive Advisor to the Chief Assistant Deputy Minister incharge of the Regulatory Enhancement Project.Page 13
Page 1 and 2: 2011 - 12Annual ReportTreaty 8 Firs
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTSMessage from The Grand Chie
Page 5 and 6: Grand Chief KappoPage 3
Page 7: Event PHOTOSPage 5
Page 10 and 11: Canada and the First Nations Histor
Page 12 and 13: Over 70 historical treatiesnegotiat
Page 18 and 19: EducationDale Awasis, Education Dir
Page 26 and 27: Page 24Education
Page 32 and 33: Children’s AgendaAnn NipshankThe
Page 34 and 35: Treaty 8 RightsAs Understood by the
Page 36: 18178 - 102 Avenue,Edmonton, Albert

Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta Annual Report 2011-12

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